Sleep-aiding device

ABSTRACT

A sleep-aiding device for restricting stretching of a wearer&#39;s legs to full extension to reduce leg muscle cramping during sleep includes an adjustable belt worn about a wearer&#39;s waist during sleep, with leg members extending between the belt at the wearer&#39;s waist and attachment at lower portions of the wearer&#39;s legs, generally below the wearer&#39;s knees, e.g. in a preferred embodiment by engagement of the wearer&#39;s feet through end loops positioned midway between the toes and ankle. The leg members have predetermined lengths between the belt and attachment at the lower portions of the wearer&#39;s legs that are adjustably selected to restrict stretching of the wearer&#39;s legs to full extension during sleep.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/455,484, filed Mar. 18, 2003.

The invention relates to devices for aiding sleep, and more particularlyto devices for reducing leg muscle cramping during sleep.

BACKGROUND

Many people find their sleep disturbed by muscle cramps, particularly ofthe legs.

SUMMARY

According to the invention, a sleep-aiding device for reducing legmuscle cramping during sleep comprises a belt member worn at a wearer'swaist in use during sleep; a first leg member worn in use during sleep,with an upper end portion attached at the belt member and a lower endportion attached at a lower portion of a wearer's first leg, below thewearer's knee; and a second leg member worn in use during sleep, with anupper end portion attached at the belt member and a lower end portionattached at a lower portion of a wearer's second leg, below the wearer'sknee. The leg members are adjustable to predetermined length betweenattachment at the belt member and attachment at the lower portions ofthe wearer's first legs, the predetermined lengths of the leg membersbeing selected to restrict stretching of the wearer's legs to fullextension during sleep.

Preferred embodiments of the invention may include one or more of thefollowing additional features. The upper end portions of the leg membersare attached at the belt portion by upper loops formed over the beltmember. The lower end portions of the leg members define lower loops forreceiving each of the wearer's feet therethrough. The lower loop of thefirst leg member in use during sleep encircles the wearer's first foot,e.g. in a region adjacent the wearer's first ankle and the lower loop ofthe second leg member in use during sleep encircles the wearer's secondfoot, e.g. in a region adjacent the wearer's second ankle. The lowerloop of the first leg member defines a circumference adjustable toengage snuggly about the wearer's first foot and the lower loop of thesecond leg member defines a circumference adjustable to engage snugglyabout the wearer's second foot. Preferably, the lower end portion of thefirst leg member terminates in a bottom end loop engaged about the firstleg member for sliding positioning therealong for adjustment of thecircumference of the lower loop of the first leg member, and the lowerend portion of the second leg member terminates in a bottom end loopengaged about the second leg member for sliding positioning therealongfor adjustment of the circumference of the lower loop of the second legmember. More preferably, the sleep-aiding device further comprises afirst fastener for releasable securement of the bottom end loop of thefirst leg member along the first leg member and a second fastener forreleasable securement of the bottom end lower loop of the second legmember along the second leg member. Preferably, the first fastener andthe second fastener each comprises cooperative elements ofhook-and-loop-type fasteners. Preferably, the sleep-aiding devicefurther comprises cantilevered tabs disposed adjacent one or more of thehook-and-loop-type fasteners for facilitating adjustment. The beltmember encircles the wearer's waist in use during sleep. Preferably, thebelt member has an effective length adjustable to accommodate attachmentabout wearers of different waist dimensions. More preferably, the beltmember defines a first end portion and an opposite second end portionand comprises a belt releasable fastener for adjustably joining thebelt's first end portion and second end portion. The belt releasablefastener comprises cooperative hook-and-loop type fastener elements forvarying the effective length of the belt member. Each of the first legmember and the second leg member comprises a releasable fasteners foradjustment of the predetermined length of each of the first leg memberand the second leg member. Each releasable fastener comprisescooperative hook-and-loop type fastener elements for varying thepredetermined length. The first leg member comprises a first strapmember having an upper end attached to the belt member and an oppositelower end attached to a lower end portion, the lower end portionterminating in a first loop attached in use during sleep to a wearer'sfirst leg, below the wearer's knee; and the second leg member comprisesa second strap portion having an upper end attached to the belt memberand an opposite lower end attached to a lower end portion, the lower endportion terminating in a second loop attached in use during sleep to awearer's second leg, below the wearer's knee. Preferably, each of thefirst loop and the second loop encircles the wearer's associated lowerleg in use during sleep. Each of the first leg member and the second legmember comprises a releasable fastener for attachment of the first loopand the second loop about each of the wearer's lower legs. Each of thefirst loop and the second loop is adjustable to accommodate attachmentto wearers of different lower leg dimensions. Each of the releasablefasteners comprises cooperative hook-and-loop type fastener elements.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedescription and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view of a person reclining in abed, e.g., as during sleep, and equipped with one embodiment of asleep-aiding device of the invention to restrict extension of theperson's legs to a length, R₁, R₂; while FIG. 1A is a similar view withthe person's legs fully extended to a length, S, greater than R₁, R₂.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the sleep-aiding device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the sleeping aiding device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the sleep-aiding device of taken at theline 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the sleep-aiding device taken at the line5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic side view of a person reclining in abed, e.g., as during sleep, and equipped with another embodiment of asleep-aiding device of the invention to restrict extension of theperson's legs to a length, R₁, R₂; while FIG. 6A is a similar view withthe a person's legs fully extended to a length, S, greater than R₁, R₂.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the sleep-aiding device of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the sleeping aiding device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the sleep-aiding device of taken at theline 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the sleep-aiding device taken at the line10-10 of FIG. 7.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, in one embodiment, a sleep-aiding device 20 forreducing leg muscle cramping during sleep includes a belt member 12 wornencircling the waist area, W, of a wearer during sleep. The belt has areleasable fastener 14, e.g. cooperative hook-and-loop type fastenerelements 16, 18, for varying the effective length of the belt, therebyto permit adjustable attachment of the belt 12 about the wearer's waist,e.g. to accommodate attachment about wearers of different waistdimensions.

The sleep-aiding device further includes a first leg member 20 wornduring sleep with the wearer's first foot, F, engaged in its lower loop22, and a second leg member 30 worn during sleep with the wearer'ssecond foot, engaged in it lower loop 32. In preferred embodiments, eachof the first leg member 20 and the second leg member 30 terminates in abottom end loop 24, 34 engaged about its respective leg member 20, 30 bysliding positioning therealong (arrow, X; FIG. 3) for adjustment of thecircumferences of the lower loops 22, 32, e.g. to accommodate snugengagement about the wearer's feet, F, of different sizes. The positionsof the bottom end loops 24, 34 along the respective leg members 20, 30are adjustably secured by overlaying fastener strips 26, 36, each ofwhich is fixedly secured, e.g. by stitching, at an upper end 27, 37 tothe respective leg member 20, 30 and relatively fastened along theirlengths, including above and below the positions of the bottom end loops24, 34, by cooperative elements of hook-and-loop type fasteners 28, 38.

The first leg member 20 is attached in its upper region to the beltmember 12. The second leg member 30 is also attached in its upper regionto the belt member 12. In preferred embodiments, each of the leg members20, 30 is looped over the belt member 12 and fastened upon itself byreleasable fasteners 40, 42, e.g. cooperative hook-and-loop typefasteners 41, 43, respectively, for adjustment of the length, R, of theleg members 20, 30 below the belt member 12, e.g. to accommodate use bywearers having different leg lengths, S, when the legs, L, are stretchedto full extension. The first leg member 20 is adjusted to apredetermined length, R₁, between attachment to the belt member 12 andattachment of the lower loop 22 about the wearer's first foot, F. Thesecond leg member 30 has a predetermined length, R₂, between attachmentto the belt member 12 and attachment of the lower loop 32 about thewearer's second foot, F. Each predetermined length, R₁, R₂, is selectedto restrict stretching of the wearer's associated leg, L, to its lengthof full extension, S, during sleep. In particular, the predeterminedlength, R, of the leg members 20, 30 between attachment to the beltmember 12 and attachment of the lower loops 22, 32 about each of theassociated wearer's feet, F, is relatively less than a distance, S,between the same points at the wearer's waist and feet when the wearer'sleg is stretched to full extension (FIG. 1A).

Referring next to FIGS. 6-10, in another embodiment, a sleep-aidingdevice 110 for reducing leg muscle cramping during sleep includes a beltmember 112 worn encircling the waist area, W, of a wearer during sleep.The belt has a releasable fastener 114, e.g. cooperative hook-and-looptype fastener elements 116, 118, for varying the effective length of thebelt, thereby to permit adjustable attachment of the belt 112 about thewearer's waist, e.g. to accommodate attachment about wearers ofdifferent waist dimensions.

The sleep-aiding device also includes a first leg member 120, consistingof a first lower portion 121 and a first (upper) strap member 123, and asecond leg member 130, consisting of a second lower portion 131 and asecond (upper) strap member 133. The first lower portion 121 terminatesin a transverse loop 122 worn during sleep attached about a lowerregion, P, of a wearer's first leg, generally below the wearer's knee,e.g. in the region of the ankle. The second lower portion 131 terminatesin a transverse loop 132 worn during sleep attached at a lower region,P, of a wearer's second leg, generally below the wearer's knee, e.g. inthe region of the ankle. The transverse loops 122,132 encircle thewearer's respective lower legs (ankles) during sleep, each of thetransverse loops having a releasable fastener 136, 138, respectively,e.g. cooperative hook-and-loop type fastener elements 140, 142 and 144,146, respectively, for adjustable attachment of the transverse loops122, 132 about the wearer's lower leg (ankle), e.g. to accommodateattachment about wearers' legs of different dimensions. The first strapmember 123 is attached at its upper end to the belt member 112, e.g. bystitching, and attached at its opposite lower end to the lower portion121. The second strap member 133 is attached at its upper end to thebelt member 112, e.g. by stitching, and attached at its opposite lowerend to the lower portion 131. Preferably, the first leg member 120 has apredetermined length, R₁, between attachment to the belt member 112 andattachment at the lower region, P, of a wearer's first leg, e.g. aboutthe region of the ankle. The second leg member 122 similarly has apredetermined length, R₂, between attachment to the belt member 112 andattachment at the lower region, P, of the wearer's leg, e.g. about theregion of the ankle. Each predetermined length, R₁, R₂, is selected torestrict stretching of the wearer's associated leg, L, to its length, S,of full extension during sleep (FIG. 6A). In particular, thepredetermined length, R, of the leg members 120, 130 between attachmentto the belt member 112 and attachment at the lower regions, P, of theassociated legs of the wearer (FIG. 6) is relatively less than adistance, S, between the same points at the wearer's waist and lowerlegs when the wearer's leg is stretched to full extension (FIG. 6A).Preferably, in this embodiment, each of the strap members 123, 133 has areleasable fastener 148, 150 respectively, e.g. cooperativehook-and-loop type fastener elements 152, 154 and 156, 158,respectively, for adjustment of the effective lengths, R, of the firstand second leg members 120, 130, e.g. to accommodate use by wearers ofdifferent leg lengths, S, when stretched to full extension.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the belt fastener may have the form of a buckle withcooperative strap and eyelets or a tie. The leg members may have theform of ankle harnesses, spats, socks or similar. The strap members maybe adjustably fastened by buckles or ties. The straps may be adjustablyfastened at the belt and/or at the leg members. The straps mayincorporate a limited degree of elasticity or stretch. Accordingly,other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

1. A sleep-aiding device for reducing leg muscle cramping during sleepcomprising: a belt member being worn at a wearer's waist in use duringsleep; a first leg member adapted to be worn in use during sleep, withan upper end portion attached at said belt member and a lower endportion attached at a lower portion of a wearer's first leg, said firstleg member comprising a first strap member having an upper end attachedto the belt member and an opposite lower end attached to a lower endportion, said lower end portion terminating in a first loop attached inuse during sleep to a wearer's first leg, below the wearer's knee, at orabove the wearer's ankle; and a second leg member being worn in useduring sleep, with an upper end portion attached at said belt member anda lower end portion attached at a lower portion of a wearer's secondleg, said second leg member comprising a second strap portion having anupper end attached to the belt member and an opposite lower end attachedto a lower end portion, said lower end portion terminating in a secondloop attached in use during sleep to a wearer's second leg, below thewearer's knee, at or above the wearer's ankle; said first leg memberbeing adjustable to a predetermined length between attachment at saidbelt member and attachment at the lower portion of the wearer's firstleg and said second leg member being adjustable to a predeterminedlength between attachment at said belt member and attachment at thelower portion of the wearer's second leg, said predetermined length ofsaid first leg member and said predetermined length of said second legmember being selected to restrict stretching of the wearer's legs tofull extension during sleep.
 2. The sleep-aiding device of claim 1,wherein each of said first loop and said second loop encircles thewearer's associated lower leg in use during sleep, below the wearer'sknee, at or above the wearer's ankle.
 3. The sleep-aiding device ofclaim 1, wherein each of said first leg member and said second legmember comprises a releasable fastener for attachment of said first loopand said second loop about each of the wearer's lower legs, below thewearer's knee, at or above the wearer's ankle.
 4. The sleep-aidingdevice of claim 3, wherein each of said first loop and said second loopis adjustable to accommodate attachment to wearers of different lowerleg dimensions, below the wearer's knee, at or above the wearer's ankle.5. The sleep-aiding device of claim 3, wherein each of said releasablefasteners comprises cooperative hook-and-loop type fastener elements.